These are the most crucial and intense moments of the whole production, a twelve month-long circle. The determination of the optimal harvest period, which may vary from year to year for each cultivar, coincides with countless field visits, to assess the level of ripeness in the different parcels with sampling and evaluation of the conditions of the olives, which go on throughout summer and the beginning of autumn. Each cultivar is harvested separately and at the optimum degree of ripeness. We collect mainly by hand but, depending on the cultivar or external conditions, also with electric facilitators or shakers. The harvested olives are placed inside 15 kg crates to be immediately transported to our mill, for the exclusive use of the farm, located near our olive groves.
Within few hours of arrival at the mill, the olives are selected, washed and pressed. Our plant is equipped with two different types of milling, automatic controls at all stages of the process and hermetically-closed Atmosphera malaxers, to prevent oxidation of the paste and preserve the level of antioxidants which are naturally contained in the olives. All surfaces in contact, from the beginning to the end of the process, are made of stainless steel, to ensure maximum cleaning and sanitation. The malaxing temperatures are controlled with an automatic thermoregulation system. The extraction takes place with a water-saving decanter so as not to lose the polyphenolic fraction contained in the paste. The final separation allows us to remove the micro particles of water and solids from the oil, in order to obtain a final product which is clean and free of impurities. After, the oil is filtered, to eliminate any further aqueous microparticles. This is how the Tenute Librandi organic extra virgin olive oil is extracted, only with mechanical processes.
On the 155 hectares of olive trees, our varietal park is composed of several cultivars: Carolea, Dolce di Rossano, Nocellara del Belice, Frantoio, Roggianella, Coratina, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nocellara Etnea, Giarraffa, Biancolilla. From all these varieties we select the best ones to transform into our organic oils; a continuous research activity which never stops.